CIEE Volunteer Spotlight: Meet Layla!

Where are you from? What was your academic background or career before teaching abroad?

I am Canadian, specifically Québécoise. In Quebec, students are required to attend community college (CEGEP) before university to help transition from high school to higher education. I graduated from Dawson College in June 2024 but decided to take a gap year before starting university. I wanted to explore the world and gain new experiences before continuing my studies. Although I plan to pursue a career in finance, I have always loved teaching and working with children, which inspired me to volunteer as an English teacher abroad during this gap year. Not to mention, I get to practice my Spanish which is a language I have always wanted to become better at!

What was the biggest challenge you faced? How did you learn and grow while abroad?

The biggest challenge I faced was the language barrier with my host mom, who doesn’t speak any English. Despite this, she is one of the sweetest people I’ve ever met. Communicating was initially difficult and relying on Google Translate wasn’t always accurate. However, we found creative ways to overcome this obstacle. I used the basic Spanish I knew to manage simple conversations, and we relied heavily on gestures and non-verbal communication. This experience taught me the value of patience, adaptability, and the importance of finding connections beyond words. It helped me grow both personally and culturally.

How was your experience abroad impacted by your background and identity? Do you have any advice to share with future applicants from a similar background?

As someone who wears a hijab, I often don’t see people who look like me in the roles or activities I aspire to pursue. This has always been disheartening, as it’s hard to find someone to look up to. I knew I wanted to teach abroad, but I was apprehensive about whether travelling with a hijab might lead to uncomfortable or even unsafe situations. While browsing the program’s website, I didn’t initially see anyone like me—until I came across one picture of a woman in a hijab. That gave me the confidence to apply. My advice to future applicants is this: representation matters, and if you don’t see someone like you, strive to become that representation for others.

What specific resources were most helpful for you? 

The Facebook group created by CIEE was incredibly helpful during my experience abroad. It provided a supportive community where I could ask questions, share experiences, and connect with others in similar situations. Additionally, I found a lot of inspiration and practical advice from an Instagram influencer, @katietheguiri. Her content is a mix of informative and humorous videos about living and teaching abroad, which helped me prepare and feel more at ease. For anyone considering a similar program, I highly recommend utilizing resources like Small Influencer because they can always respond to your questions and they give you an unfiltered view of their life!

Summarize your teaching abroad experience in one word.

Exhilarating 

What kinds of jobs have you held? What are you considering after teaching abroad?

Before teaching abroad, I worked as a receptionist and am currently a security guard (on a long vacation for this program). However, my time working with preschoolers and kindergarteners has been transformative. I’ve discovered a genuine passion for working with young children and now aspire to work at a daycare or an after-school babysitting center. This experience has shown me how rewarding it is to support children’s growth and development. I plan to pursue part-time work in childcare assistance while completing my degree, combining my education with my newfound love for teaching and nurturing young minds.

How do you think your teaching abroad experience has shaped you?

This experience has greatly enhanced my patience and encouraged me to rethink how to convey even the simplest concepts. Teaching is undoubtedly challenging but incredibly rewarding. One of the hardest parts has been finding multiple ways to explain the same lesson so that every child can grasp it. It’s surprisingly complex to explain something as fundamental as what a “father” or an “uncle” is. This process has taught me creativity and adaptability, skills that have not only improved my teaching but also contributed to my personal growth. These are valuable soft skills that can be applied across any field or career path.